Omar Yagi, a chemist who won a Nobel Prize in 2025 for his work on a new type of material known as a metal-organic framework, has reportedly moved to China to lead an AI research center at Tsinghua University.
At 61, Mr. Yagi is of Palestinian descent. He emigrated to the United States from Jordan at the age of 15, where he has lived ever since.
He earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign back in 1990 and has been a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley since 2012. His research has earned him numerous accolades. In 2025, he was awarded the Nobel Prize alongside two other scientists.
This trio worked on developing a class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which function as porous structures capable of gas storage. Picture a three-dimensional maze or, perhaps, a sponge filled with large tunnels, yet somehow holding its shape despite the vast empty spaces.
MOFs, like sponges, are remarkably absorbent, primarily regarding gases rather than liquids. Interestingly, they come in various forms designed for liquid absorption as well, such as one that efficiently extracts water from desert air.
Altering the composition of metals in the MOF lattice and adjusting cavity sizes enables the framework to capture different gases.
Yagi’s research in this field has seen significant growth, and he’s credited with coining the term “metal-organic framework” after several failed attempts to name this innovative technology. He also developed a water filter, inspired by his youthful experiences in arid Jordan.
Besides his academic work, Yagi is involved in several companies focusing on commercial applications of MOFs, including a California-based firm developing carbon and water recovery systems.
Recently, Yagi expressed concerns about reduced funding for scientific research during the latter part of the Trump administration, stressing that research costs are escalating.
“For years, funding has been highly competitive. If you do good work, you get support. But now, it’s less encouraging with many institutions cutting back,” he noted in an interview.
“One issue is the rising costs of science. Society is asking about the value of this investment. We need to remember that our best assets are young scientists with fresh perspectives,” he remarked.
Yagi also voiced that American research labs have been slow to adopt artificial intelligence.
“AI needs to be more useful—not just for speeding up lab work but for encouraging new inquiries. This is crucial for the future of advanced research in America,” he asserted.
He worries about the readiness for what he believes will be an AI revolution, emphasizing that research methods must adapt to leverage AI for speeding up discovery and performing time-consuming tasks.
On the eve of his Nobel acceptance, Yagi shared his thoughts on President Trump’s stricter immigration policies, calling them “regrettable.”
“History shows us that scholars crossing borders help spread knowledge and lift economies,” he commented, underlining the importance of diversity in enhancing overall capabilities.
Yagi’s move to China appears sudden. His company is working to assure that his departure won’t hinder operations, stating that he will remain more involved than ever, using his role in China to foster innovative discoveries.
Previously, Yagi had ties to China, having become a professor emeritus at Tsinghua University in 2022. He officially accepted a full-time position to research how AI can significantly expedite new material development and train young scientists in “AI-driven chemistry.”
Tsinghua has indicated that Yagi’s role will allow him to approach science with renewed vigor and ambition.
Various scientific representatives remarked that China is making substantial offers to attract U.S. scientists, gaining ground in materials science and chemistry through significant investments.
One professor noted that the country is outpacing the U.S. in top-level chemistry research. An analyst cautioned that China’s investment in science is on the rise, especially in chemistry.
However, it’s worth noting that China’s approach to immigration is notably strict and has a nationalistic stance. The government seems to be focused on selecting a handful of talented individuals from abroad, which presents a complex picture for those advocating for immigration and human rights.
